Rechargeable tool system recommendations?

[There’sOnlyOne]

Ryobi
Rigid
Milwaukee

Least expensive to most. All available any day at HD. Even better when on sale, Fathers Day is next big sale event.

Ryobi still uses same battery/chargers attachment as it did 20yrs ago, so long term battery capability. And they have a multitude of tool selections. I've used Ryobi since the "blue" color days and still have batteries and tools from them that work. All have been used as residential for mechanical and woodworking. Used not pampered. I've never had one fail. About 4 yrs ago I started in on the current "high viz yellow" line and have nothing but good to say. I use the 1/2" impact all the time.

Rigid is good in between and lifetime warranties.

Milwaukee is the "new" Dewalt. More expensive but all I here is positive about them

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[tomd]

Milwaukee

 

[jeepingib]

Depends on how much you want to spend vs how many things you plan to purchase. Milwaukee is pretty badass. But Dewalt hasn't been sleeping lately either. If you plan to have a lot of cordless tools, then either of them would be great. But if you only need a couple of things like a small impact and drill. Rigid and Ryobi are hard to beat. Check out Torque test channel on YouTube. He's put just about all of them head to head on a homemade dyno and has a ranking chart.

 

[Heimkehr]

 

[Pareto Offroad]

Pareto Offroad uses Milwaukee and Dewalt for the cordless stuff. These started out as personal tools and migrated to business use. If we were to start over, the harbor freight stuff with a good warranty is probably the best bang for the buck if you're not using these all the time.

 

[autotragic]

I’m a DeWalt 20v guy myself, everything from lawn care to automotive repair to home improvement. Works for me.

If not Milwaukee then DeWalt.

/Thread

 

[roaniecowpony]

I have a midsized M18 Milwaukee impact and a compact M18 impact. Both work well. The compact can't do lug nuts regardless of what it says. After a couple years, the midsized impact fried something one day. I took it to a Milwaukee factory repair station in Fullerton CA. Cost 2/3rds the price of a new one. Still, when they work, they are good.

 

[Steveo]

One thing to think about, too, is the diversity of tools selection that a given manufacturer offers for their battery lines.

For instance, I don't think Ryobi can offer the diversity of a Milwaukee or Dewalt. If you look at the offerings in say plumbing (e.g. propress and pipe threaders/cutters etc.) and electrical (e.g. romex staplers etc.) that Milwaukee and Dewalt offer, you won't find a lot of these tools made by the other brands like Ryobi and HFT/Hercules.

Point being, if you ever think you might need tools for these other "trades" then it's worth giving some thought to. Some of the Milwaukee plumbing & electrical tools are VERY expensive ($2k+) but they can largely pay for themselves on single, moderately complex home DIY job.

I purchased the M12 propress tool for instance and it's nice not to have to sweat pipe. I think it's largely paid for itself by not hiring a plumber for the couplefew jobs I've done myself.

Something to ponder as you make your decision.

 

[beast40]

Dewalt 20v here. My father-in-law swears by them and owned (just retired) a high end cabinet business and a military contracting business.

 

[rcadden]

I've had Ryobi for the better part of nearly 20 years with no complaints. The batteries hold up nicely (even the older ones I have still work with no problems, and they work with newer equipment).

I believe I got started with one of those "$400 all-in-one" kits and have just kept with it. I keep the impact driver in my Jeep's rear cubby with a 21.5" socket for loosening up lugs. I also have the regular drill, circular saw, sawzall, and a few others.

Holds up well and they're always on sale.

 

[goose77]

Milwaukee, Ryobi Ridgid and HART are all TTi China made and owned. Dewalt is owned in the USA by Stanley Black and Decker gets parts from Mexico/China and USA assembled. I have access to most every tool on the market due to our Tool channel. HF Hercules is the great bang for the buck, Milwaukee has the coolest tools and comes out with the latest releases, Dewalt is slow to release but the 20V line is a solid line, good reliable tools. Homeowner on a budget go RYOBI. Want the latest cool tools go Milwaukee, want a solid brand reliable brand go Dewalt especially for saws. Its like Chevy, Ram and Ford. Just depends on what you like. I use mostly all Milwaukee and Dewalt. They send us tool samples all the time, but I am still buying Milwaukee and Dewalt.

Personally I think Dewalt is a little better quality than Milwaukee. Milwaukee just releases things so fast they usually come out with Gen 2,3 etc. to fix issues. We have seen less problems with DeWALT. But Milwaukee still impresses and have a great 5 year warranty. As far as batteries its about the same although the Milwaukee 9.0 batteries had a huge failure rate, backed up by the reviews on ACME tool. I spoke to Milwaukee corporate and they were like nothing to see here and tried using magic marketing on me to make shut up about it so I didn't post it to our followers. Harbor freight is crazy power and lasts, got to check the price point as their warranty is separate.

My 2 cents - Been doing tools for years and we have 3.4+ million followers total. So know a little and have used them all. @toolsinaction everywhere

 

[Vanburi]

I like the rigid warranty, lifetime on batteries.

 

[Terrymo]

Ridgid for construction and home repair
Milwaukee for automotive

 

[goose77]

I like the rigid warranty, lifetime on batteries.

You have to fill out the LSA within 30 days or its void and Lifetime warranty on batteries only applies if was purchased in a kit.

 

[GtX]

I was porter cable but Lowes dropped them then my Lowes credit card got hacked and they were a pain to deal with.

So, Home Depot now and new Milwaukee tools. Have 12v and 18v. Happy with everything, be careful with the 1/2 inch impact... It'll blow right by 130 ft-lbs in the blink of an eye.

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